Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $58,590 -1% vs national
Median hourly $28.17
10th percentile $42,240
90th percentile $93,390
Employed locally 660
National median $59,190

Compare Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary & buying power

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Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
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Durham, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,240
    25th
    $47,960
    50th (median)
    $58,590
    75th
    $75,940
    90th
    $93,390

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary vs area income 72% Median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary is 28% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Bend, OR $82,380
    Ogden, UT $81,300
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $80,470
    Anchorage, AK $79,830
    Alaska $79,220
    Fairbanks-College, AK $78,750

    Nearby metros — Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Anchorage, AK $79,830
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $72,950
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $71,530
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $67,680
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $63,850
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $60,350

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $60,710
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $60,360
    Social and Human Service Assistants $43,890
    Healthcare Social Workers $77,460
    Health Education Specialists $76,380
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $62,680

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make per hour in Durham?

    The median hourly wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Durham, NC is $28.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.62 or more per hour.

    Is Durham above or below average for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salaries?

    The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in Durham, NC is 1% below the national median of $59,190. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Durham?

    Entry-level Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (10th percentile) earn around $42,240 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,960.